Governor signs four bills passed by the 36th Legislature and acknowledges override of provision in Act No. 9100
U.S. VIRGIN ISLANDS — Governor Albert Bryan Jr. has approved four measures passed by the 36th Legislature addressing firearm licensing and registration, special education evaluations, recreational facilities and compensation for legislative employees.
Governor Bryan approved Bill No. 36-0144, which modernizes the Territory’s firearm licensing and registration laws and brings them into conformity with recent U.S. Supreme Court rulings.
The legislation removes subjective discretion from the firearm licensing process, establishes clearer standards and simplifies licensing and registration requirements for lawful gun owners. The Governor said updating the law was necessary to preserve effective firearm regulation while protecting the constitutional rights of law-abiding residents.
“This is a common-sense measure which protects the rights of law-abiding residents to bear arms while placing rational parameters on weapons in our community,” Governor Bryan said.
The Governor noted that the Territory’s previous law was overly burdensome and vulnerable to being invalidated in federal court, which could have left the Virgin Islands without adequate firearm regulations.
“At a time when we are experiencing a devastating level of gun violence in our neighborhoods, ensuring proper licensure and registration aids law enforcement in identifying those operating outside the law,” Governor Bryan said. “We cannot, and should not, abdicate our responsibility to enact sensible laws to protect the well-being of the community simply because some bad actors, determined to break the law, are undeterred.”
Governor Bryan thanked the Legislature for crafting a measure that balances constitutional protections with the government’s responsibility to promote public safety and assist law enforcement.
The Governor also approved the following measures:
Bill No. 36-0309 appropriates $383,784 from the Virgin Islands Education Initiative Fund to the Department of Education to conduct extended school year evaluations to determine whether students are eligible for special education services.
The measure also amends Act No. 7757 regarding the naming of successor legislative conference rooms in honor of former Senator at Large Cleone Henrietta Creque and extends the period for disbursing appropriations for the equestrian training facility authorized under Act No. 8951.
Bill No. 36-0310 amends Acts Nos. 8870 and 8985 concerning appropriations for the Ivanna Eudora Kean High School track and field facilities.
Bill No. 36-0312 amends Act No. 9022 regarding compensation for unused leave owed to legislative employees when they separate from government service.
Governor Bryan also acknowledged the Legislature’s override of Section 9 of Act No. 9100.
“I thank the members of the Thirty-Sixth Legislature for their work on behalf of the people of the Territory,” Governor Bryan said.
###
Comments are closed